There is a difference between playoff contender and title contender. Mitchell and Atkinson both came to Cleveland aiming for the latter.

The Cavaliers have ruled out All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell for Tuesday's game due to a left ankle sprain. Mitchell, 28, is averaging 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season,

Donovan Mitchell took the breath away from Cleveland Cavaliers fans on Sunday night when he was taken back to the locker room with an ankle injury. He returned to the game but was ruled out of the team’s next contest against the Chicago Bulls where they would have another chance to capture the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.